MFT Guest: Interview with Cindy Pon and Giveaway!

Today for My Favorite Things I have Cindy Pon on. Cindy is the brilliant author behind Silver Phoenix and Fury of the Phoenix. These are young adult Asian Inspired fantasies. I loved both books and am excited to have Cindy on to answer a few questions. Before we get started here’s a description of Silver Phoenix:

No one wanted Ai Ling. And deep down she is relieved—despite the dishonor she has brought upon her family—to be unbetrothed and free, not some stranger’s subservient bride banished to the inner quarters.But now, something is after her. Something terrifying—a force she cannot comprehend. And as pieces of the puzzle start to fit together, Ai Ling begins to understand that her journey to the Palace of Fragrant Dreams isn’t only a quest to find her beloved father but a venture with stakes larger than she could have imagined.Bravery, intelligence, the will to fight and fight hard . . . she will need all of these things. Just as she will need the new and mysterious power growing within her. She will also need help.It is Chen Yong who finds her partly submerged and barely breathing at the edge of a deep lake. There is something of unspeakable evil trying to drag her under. On a quest of his own, Chen Yong offers that help . . . and perhaps more.

On a Saturday or Sunday afternoon what is your favorite thing to do?Reading for pleasure (by the sea if possible) or working on a currentnovel at the boba shop.If you were able to travel to any country in the world what country would you pick and why?Definitely China. I’d love to take a month to learn Chinese brushpainting at the art university there and seethe beautiful scenery I see so often in the paintings.What are your top 5 most favorite foods?Oh. Tough one. I do love frozen yogurt with mochi balls, Taiwanese food, dumplings, buns, noodles, pasta, caprese salad, fresh baked french or Italian bread, Thai and Indian curry… er, is that five?What are your top 5 books (or series) that come to mind?I’ll mention the top five i’ve read most recently that I’ve really enjoyed:

Nevermore by Kelly CreaghYou Against Me by Jenny DownhamThe House You Pass Along the Way by Jacqueline WoodsonDeerskin by Robin McKinleyRed Glove by Holly Black

If you were to pick two characters from two different books (series, authors, etc) to be together who would you pick?Huh. Nick from Sarah Rees Brennan’s The Demon’s Lexicon series with Billi fromSarwat Chadda’s The Devil’s Kiss series.Who was your favorite character to write about?Zhong Ye from Fury of the Phoenix.When it comes to Chinese lore and legend how much played a role in your books? And what was your favorite piece you read about and felt you HAD to include something like it in your books?I didn’t grow up with much lore or legend, alas. All that I knew were tied to specific holidays. I’m really intrigued by the snake demon, a woman shapeshifter that usually seduces men.It’s a common Chinese folklore.You’re a brilliant artist as well as writer, which came to you first?Thank you! I’m definitely a writer first. This year, I’ll have been a student of Chinese brush painting for ten years! But I’m still a baby student compared to my other classmates. I’ve been writing since I was around twelve so I definitely feel more comfortable with the writer label than the artist one.Do you have anything in the works that your able to share with us?Yes, I’m starting on a third novel this summer (not yet sold) which is another Asian inspired fantasy. It will star a shape shifting snake demon as a heroine and the hero will be a wannabemonk. I’m excited to write it! =)

Thanks so much for having me, Candace!

Thanks for being on Cindy!–Silver Phoenix : Beyond the Kingdom of XiaGreenwillow Books/HarperCollins, April 28 ’09

Just stopped by to check out your site – love it. Great interview and as your other commenter said – there’s not a lot out there featuring Asians so that was interesting. Please feel free to stop by my new blog when you have time at http://www.brendamccreight.blogspot.com Have your best day possible.

Thanks for stopping by and for the follow. It wouldn’t have been the normal book I would have picked up but there’s a reason for everything. It gave me some insight on how to start my own memoir. Thanks again. Donna

Wow, this sounds unique. Chinese folklore is very new to me. Great top “5” LOL! I definitely second the fresh baked Italian bread. Man that stuff is amazing. I hope to see some of your paintings, I have always been a fan of art, would love to see what you have done. I can’t wait to start this book. This sound amazing. Thank you guys for the great interview and giveaway.

Bili is one of my favorite kick-ass characters I’ve read about lately… most get my hands on Dark Goddess! I think she and Nick would feud a lot sometimes, but having, well, similar hobbies, they might actually get along very well.

I keep seeing this series around– definitely want to check it out. Great interview.